RS35397_ by Aya Matrabie / DEC

Photos from the life of Aya. ...."In the south some people are trying to grow vegetables but it’s too dangerous and expensive to transport it to the north, so fresh food here is very expensive. People don’t have the cash to buy it. A 25kg bag of white flour is $350. That’s barely enough for a large family. During the ceasefire it was much more affordable, but not anymore.....We secured some supplies when we could, during the ceasefire, which has been seeing us through the blockade. One day I had a fresh tomato and kept the seeds to try to grow more as tomatoes are so expensive. It’s been two months now so I’m expecting it to grow."....Aya Matrabie is a 26-year-old freelance documentary filmmaker from Gaza who has been documenting the humanitarian work of DEC charities and their local partners over the last few months, via content agency Fairpicture. Before the current escalation in conflict, she ran a poetic documentary filmmaking course for young women. When the conflict escalated she held drama workshops for children to improve their mental health.....She smiled throughout the interview and reassured us that everything is, or will be, okay.....Interview by Becky Mansell and Shagufta Yaqub, DEC on 9 May 2025 via video call from Gaza.